Systems and methods for providing end-to-end monitoring and/or control of remote oil and gas production assets

ABSTRACT

Implementations are directed to remote data aggregation, data management, and data visualization of field data from remote field site locations. Actions can include generating, by one or more sensors, the field data, each sensor of the one or more sensors being responsive to field site activity, transmitting, through a regional network, the field data to a back-end system, processing, by the back-end system, the field data to provide visualization data, transmitting the visualization data to one or more mobile computing devices, and providing a computer-executable application for execution on a mobile computing device, the computer-executable application processing the visualization data to provide data visualizations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/790,473, filed Mar. 15, 2013 which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Oil and gas production assets are often distributed across remotelocations. For example, well-sites can be remote from conventioncommunications equipment making the retrieval of well-site datadifficult and unreliable. Some locations can be so remote, that periodicon-site visits are required to manually or semi-manually retrieve data.

SUMMARY

Implementations of the present disclosure include computer-implementedmethods for remote data aggregation, data management, data visualizationof natural resource data (e.g., oil data and/or gas data) from remoteproduction assets, as well as control of remote production assets.Example production assets can include well site locations, pipelines,refineries, custody transfers, and the like. In some implementations,the following example functionality is provided: mobile monitoring andcontrol of remote assets, remote monitoring of production, remotespill/leak detection, remote well shut in, remote measurement of variouselements including, but not limited to, hydrocarbon production, saltwater production, fresh water production/consumption, tank levelmonitoring, hazardous gas detection, regulated gas detection, pipelineintegrity monitoring, remote pipeline shut in and control, block valvecontrol, production optimization through closed loop control,hydrocarbon reservoir optimization through closed loop control, pressuremonitoring, temperature monitoring, air quality monitoring, assettracking, personnel access control, monitoring and control of removal ofhydrocarbons, and/or detection of equipment failure and remote restartcapabilities.

In accordance with implementations of the present disclosure, adedicated remote monitoring wireless network is deployed over oil andgas assets. Further, remote monitoring computing devices, intelligentsensing devices, aggregation computing devices in the field, andcomputer-executable programs are provided. In some examples,computer-executable programs are provided to perform functionalitydiscussed herein (algorithms) in the field. Further, radio ortransmitting devices are provided to send encoded computer informationover an upper-level network (e.g., the Internet), and a system ofcomputer storage devices are provided to store data received from theremote locations (e.g., production assets). In some implementations,computer storage devices are provided to store data in a physical orremote premise, computer programs and algorithms are provided to analyzethe data, and to send or transmit the data to any display terminal(e.g., fixed and/or mobile). In accordance with implementations of thepresent disclosure, native software programs that reside on mobiledevices (e.g., are installed on and are executed by mobile devices) areprovided to display data. In some examples, the native software programsprovided on mobile computing devices provide functionality for dataprocessing and computation and user input of information. Accordingly,implementations of the present disclosure provide a complete end-to-endsystem (from sensor to screen) that enables users to view, input,transmit, and compute data parameters for remote data aggregation, datamanagement, data visualization of natural resource data (e.g., oil dataand/or gas data) from remote production assets, as well as control ofremote production assets.

In some implementations methods include actions of generating, by one ormore sensors, field data, each sensor of the one or more sensors beingresponsive to field site activity, transmitting, through a regionalnetwork, the field data to a back-end system, processing, by theback-end system, the field data to provide visualization data,transmitting the visualization data to one or more mobile computingdevices, and providing a computer-executable application for executionon a mobile computing device, the computer-executable applicationprocessing visualization data to provide data visualizations. Otherimplementations of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus,and computer programs, configured to perform the actions of the methods,encoded on computer storage devices.

These and other implementations can each optionally include one or moreof the following features: the network includes a play network thatprovides data acquisition functionality for one or more natural resourceplays; the play network includes one or more ultra-low power (ULP)sub-networks, each ULP sub-network including an access point; each ULPsub-network includes one or more communication devices, eachcommunication device enabling data communication between at least onesensor system and the access point; the access point communicates withone or more field site locations within one or more natural resourceplays; the access point communicates using a globally certified, licensefree spectrum; each ULP sub-network communicates with an upper-levelnetwork based on one or more of cellular communication and satellitecommunication; the play network includes one or more wirelesssub-networks, each wireless sub-network comprising a gateway; eachwireless sub-network includes one or more communication devices, eachcommunication device enabling data communication between a field sitecomponent and the gateway; the gateway communicates with one or morefield site locations within one or more natural resource plays; eachwireless sub-network communicates with an upper-level network based onone or more of cellular communication and satellite communication; aprovider of the computer-executable applications is a provider of theregional network; each computer-executable application is operable toreceive raw field site data and to process the raw field site data tographically render one or more data visualizations on a respectivemobile computing device; transmitting the visualization data comprisestransmitting the visualization data in real-time, thecomputer-executable application; the one or more sensors include one ormore sensors from a group including a temperature sensor, a flow ratesensor, a pressure sensor, a hazardous gas sensor, a fluid-level sensor,a regulated gas sensor, a component integrity sensor, an air qualitysensor, an asset tracking sensor (e.g., RFID), and a component failuresensor; actions further include receiving a control signal from a mobilecomputing device, the control signal being specific to a field site of anatural resource play, and transmitting the control signal to the fieldsite over the regional network, wherein at least one component of thefield site is responsive to the control signal; the at least onecomponent includes a valve; the remote well site locations include afirst field site operated by a first field operator and a second fieldsite operated by a second field operator, the second field operatorbeing different from the first field operator; field data from each ofthe first field site and the second field site is transmitted over theregional network to the back-end system; the back-end system transmitsrespective visualization data to one or more mobile computing devices ofthe first field operator and one or more mobile computing devices of thesecond field operator; and actions further include registering a fieldoperator for remote data aggregation, data management, and/or datavisualization services, and enabling communication between one or morefield sites of the field operator and the regional network.

Other aspects of the present disclosure provide systems including one ormore processors, and a computer-readable medium coupled to the one ormore processors having instructions stored thereon which, when executedby the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform one or more of the methods provided herein.

It is appreciated that methods in accordance with the present disclosurecan include any combination of the aspects and features describedherein. That is to say that methods in accordance with the presentdisclosure are not limited to the combinations of aspects and featuresspecifically described herein, but also include any combination of theaspects and features provided.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description anddrawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example natural resource play.

FIG. 2 depicts an example system in accordance with implementations ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts an example portion of a play network.

FIG. 4 depicts an example service platform in accordance withimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an example process that can be executed in accordancewith implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of example computer systems that canbe used to execute implementations of the present disclosure.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed tosystems and methods for providing end-to-end monitoring and/or controlof a plurality of natural resource assets (e.g., oil assets and/or gasassets). Example natural resource assets can include oil well sites, gaswell sites. More particularly, implementations of the present disclosureprovide one or more play network systems provided by a service provider,in hand with back-end services provided by the service provider. Inaccordance with implementations of the present disclosure, well data(e.g., oil data and/or gas data) can be retrieved from the one or moreplay network systems and can be processed by the back-end services onbehalf of one or more field site operators, to provide data access,monitoring and/or analytical services to the field site operators. Insome examples, well site data, monitoring data and/or analytical dataare provided from the service provider to the field site operators(e.g., to computing devices of the field site operators). In someexamples, data can be provided to various types of users, or entities.Examples users/entities can include operations personnel, managementstaff (e.g., of oil/gas companies), executives, investors, mineralowners, service suppliers, and the like. Implementations of the presentdisclosure further provide mobile applications that can be installed onand executed by mobile computing devices. In some example, site data(e.g., oil data and/or gas data) can be provided to the mobile computingdevices, where applications enable rendering of the site data on thenative client. In some examples, site data can be provided in real-time.In some examples, rendering of the site data can be provided in realtime from raw data (e.g., XML data).

FIG. 1 depicts an example geographical region 100 including an examplenatural resource play 102. The natural resource play 102 can beassociated with oil and/or natural gas. In general, a natural resourceplay includes an extent of a petroleum-bearing formation, and/oractivities associated with petroleum development in a region. Theexample geographical region 100 depicts southwestern Texas in the UnitedStates, and the example natural resource play 102 depicts the Eagle FordShale Play. In the depicted example, the natural resource play 102 isassociated with well sites 104, 106, 108. The well sites 104 are eachrepresentative of one or more oil and/or natural gas wells that havebeen permitted, the well sites 106 are each representative of one ormore oil wells, and the well sites 108 are each representative of one ormore natural gas wells. The example of FIG. 1 is an approximation of thewell sites 104, 106, 108 of the Eagle Ford Shale Play as of December2011.

The example of FIG. 1 is provided as an illustration of well activityand well growth in an example natural resource play (e.g., the naturalresource play 102). As depicted, well sites can be spread across anexpansive region and can be located in remote areas. This can make wellsite monitoring and access to well data difficult. Further, rapid growthof well sites, particularly in remote areas, can further complicate wellmonitoring and access to well data.

As introduced above, implementations of the present disclosure aredirected to a system architecture that enables end-to-end monitoring ofa plurality of well sites. Implementations of the present disclosureinclude features of well data acquisition and monitoring, software andwell data as a service, and custom analysis and applications. Inaccordance with the present disclosure, these features are provided in asecure and reliable manner, improve hydrocarbon production, improveoperational efficiency of well operators, improve safety of operationsfor field personnel, improve regulatory compliance, and provide overallcost savings in well operations. More particularly, and as discussed infurther detail herein, the system architecture includes one or moreproprietary play networks that receive well data from well sites withinone or more natural resource plays. In some examples, and as discussedin further detail herein, a play network can includetransmitting/receiving devices, one or more sensors and/or controldevices that are deployed in the field, and can be owned/operated by theprovider of the play network. The one or more play networks provide welldata to one or more back-end systems that store the well data. In someexamples, a back-end system can process the well data to provideauxiliary data. In some examples, the well data and/or the auxiliarydata can be provided to one or more computing devices. In some examples,computing devices include computing devices owned and operated by one ormore well site operators. In some examples, computing devices can beprovided as mobile computing devices. In accordance with implementationsof the present disclosure, one or more data visualizations can bedisplayed on a mobile computing device, enabling a user (e.g., anemployee of a well operator) to monitor one or more wells of one or morenatural resource plays.

Implementations of the present disclosure provide a broad landscape forwell site monitoring and control. In some examples, and as discussed infurther detail herein, implementations of the present disclosure providecellular data access, satellite data access, private data networks,ultra-low power (ULP) networks, a mobile platform, an analyticsplatform, customizable reports, alarms and alerting, remote control,remote terminal unit (RTU) controllers, and a cloud-based solution forwell data access and monitoring.

FIG. 2 depicts an example system 200 that can execute implementations ofthe present disclosure. The example system 200 includes one or morecomputing devices, such as computing devices 202, 204, one or more playnetworks 206, and a computing cloud 207 that includes one or morecomputing systems 208. The example system 200 further includes a network210. The network 210 can include a large computer network, such as alocal area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, acellular network, a satellite network, one or more wireless accesspoints, or a combination thereof connecting any number of mobileclients, fixed clients, and servers. In some examples, the network 210can be referred to as an upper-level network.

The computing devices 202, 204 are associated with respective users 212,214. In some examples, the computing devices 202, 204 can each includevarious forms of a processing device including, but not limited to, adesktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a wearablecomputer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), acellular telephone, a network appliance, a smart phone, an enhancedgeneral packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, or an appropriatecombination of any two or more of these example data processing devicesor other data processing devices. The computing systems 208 each includea computing device 208 a and computer-readable memory provided as apersistent storage device 208 b, and can represent various forms ofserver systems including, but not limited to a web server, anapplication server, a proxy server, a network server, or a server farm.

In some implementations, and as discussed in further detail herein, sitedata (e.g., oil data and/or gas data) can be communicated from one ormore of the play networks 206 to the computing systems 208 over thenetwork 210. In some examples, each play network 206 can be provided asa regional network. For example, a play network can be associated withone or more plays within a geographical region. In some examples, eachplay network 206 includes one or more sub-networks. As discussed infurther detail herein, example sub-networks can include a ULPsub-network, and one or more wireless sub-networks.

In some examples, the computing systems 208 store the well data and/orprocess the well data to provide auxiliary data. In some examples, thewell data and/or the auxiliary data are communicated over the playnetwork(s) 206 and the network 210 to the computing devices 202, 204 fordisplay thereon. In some examples, user input to the computing devices202, 204 can be communicated to the computing systems 208 over thenetwork 210.

In general, monitoring of well sites can include oil well monitoring andnatural gas well monitoring (e.g., pressure(s), temperature(s), flowrate(s)), compressor monitoring (e.g., pressure, temperature), flowmeasurement (e.g., flow rate), custody transfer, tank level monitoring,hazardous gas detection, remote shut-in, water monitoring, cathodicprotection sensing, asset tracking, water monitoring, access monitoring,and valve monitoring. In some examples, control capabilities can beprovide, such as remote valve control, remote start/stop capabilities,remote access control.

FIG. 3 depicts an example portion of an example play network 300. Theexample play network 300 provides ULP communication, and cellular and/orsatellite communication for well data access and/or control. In theexample of FIG. 3, a first well site 302, a second well site 304 and athird well site 306 are depicted. Although three well sites aredepicted, it is appreciated that the example play network 300 caninclude any appropriate number of well sites. In the example of FIG. 3,well monitoring and data access for the well site 302 is provided usingULP communication and cellular and/or satellite communication, and wellmonitoring and data access for the well sites 304, 306 is provided usingcellular and/or satellite communication.

In the depicted example, the well site 302 includes a wellhead 303, asensor system 310, a sensor system 312 and communication device 314. Insome examples, the sensor system 310 includes a wireless communicationdevice that is connected to one or more sensors, the one or more sensorsmonitoring parameters associated with operation of the wellhead 303. Insome examples, the wireless communication device enables monitoring ofdiscrete and analog signals directly from the connected sensors and/orother signaling devices. In some examples, the sensor system 310 canprovide control functionality (e.g., valve control). Although a singlesensor system 310 is depicted, it is contemplated that a well site caninclude any appropriate number of sensor systems 310. In some examples,the sensor system 312 includes one or more sensors that monitorparameters associated with operation of the wellhead 303. In someexamples, the sensor system 312 generates data signals that are providedto the communication device 314, which can forward the data signals.Although a single sensor system 312 and communication device 314 aredepicted, it is contemplated that a well site can include anyappropriate number of sensor systems 312 and/or communication devices314.

Well data and/or control commands can be provided to/from the well site302 through an access point 316. More particularly, information can betransmitted between the access point 316, and the sensor system 310and/or the communication device 314 based on ULP. In some examples, ULPprovides communication using a globally certified, license free spectrum(e.g., 2.4 GHz). In some examples, the access point 316 provides aradial coverage that enables the access point 316 to communicate withnumerous well sites, such as the well site 302. In some examples, theaccess point 316 further communicates with the network 210 usingcellular, satellite, point-to-point, point-to-multipoint radios, and/orterrestrial or wired communication.

In the depicted example, the access point 316 is mounted on a tower 320.In some examples, the tower 320 can include an existingtelecommunications or other tower. In some examples, an existing towercan support multiple functionalities. In this manner, erection of atower specific to one or more well sites is not required. In someexamples, one or more dedicated towers could be erected.

In the depicted example, the well sites 304, 306 include respectivewellheads 305, 307, and respective sensor systems 310 (discussed above).Although a single sensor system 310 is depicted for each well site 304,306, it is contemplated that a well site can include any appropriatenumber of sensor systems 310. In some examples, well data and/or controlcommands can be provided to/from the well sites 302 through a gateway332. More particularly, information can be transmitted between thegateway 332, and the sensor systems 310 can be wireless communication(e.g., radio frequency (RF)). In some examples, the gateway 332 furthercommunicates with the network 210 using cellular and/or satellitecommunication.

In accordance with implementations of the present disclosure, well sitecontrol and/or data visualization and/or analysis functionality (e.g.,hosted in the computing cloud 207 of FIGS. 2 and 3) and one or more playnetworks (e.g., the play networks 206, 300 of FIGS. 2 and 3) can beprovided by a service provider. In some examples, the service providerprovides end-to-end services for a plurality of well sites. In someexamples, the service provider owns the one or more play networks andenables well site operators to use the play networks andcontrol/visualization/monitoring functionality provided by the serviceprovider. For example, a well site operator can operate a plurality ofwell sites. The well site operator can engage the service provider forwell site control/visualization/monitoring services (e.g., subscribe forservices). In some examples, the service provider and/or the well siteoperator can install appropriate sensor systems, communication devicesand/or gateways (e.g., as discussed above with reference to FIG. 3). Insome examples, sensor systems, communication devices and/or gateways canbe provided as end-points that are unique to the well site operator.

In some implementations, the service provider can maintain one or moreindices of end-points and well site operators. In some examples, theindex can map data received from one or more end-points to computingdevices associated with one or more well site operators. In someexamples, well site operators can include internal server systems and/orcomputing devices that can receive well data and/or auxiliary data fromthe service provider. In some examples, the service provider can receivemessages from well sites, the messages can include, for example, welldata and an end-point identifier. In some examples, the service providercan route messages and/or auxiliary data generated by the serverprovider (e.g., analytical data) to the appropriate well site operatoror personnel based on the end-point identifier and the index. Similarly,the service provider can route messages (e.g., control messages) from awell site operator to one or more appropriate well sites.

In some examples, an index can map messages between end-points andspecific computing devices associated with a well site operator. Forexample, a well site operator can include a field supervisor that isresponsible for overall operation of a plurality of well sites across arelatively large region (e.g., regional level). Consequently, well dataand/or auxiliary data associated with all of the well sites across thelarge region can be provided to a computing device (e.g., a mobilecomputing device) associated with the field supervisor. As anotherexample, a well site operator can include a field technician that isresponsible for visiting and keep track of a sub-set of well sitesacross a relatively small region (e.g., local level). Consequently, welldata and/or auxiliary data associated with only those well sites withinthe sub-set of well sites can be provided to a computing device (e.g., amobile computing device) associated with the field technician. In theseexamples, the field supervisor is provided with a regional view of wellsite operations, while the field technician is provided with a localview of well site operations. As another example, a field supervisor canbe provided with a higher-level of control commands that can be issuedto a well site from the computing device, as opposed to a fieldtechnician.

In some examples, data can be provided to various types of users orentities associated with field sites. Example users/entities can includeoperations managers (e.g., in remote locations), executives and/orowners of a business, department personnel (e.g., information technology(IT), accounting, engineering, etc). In general, implementations of thepresent disclosure, provide for one source of truth from ground (e.g.,field sites) to glass (e.g., displays of computing devices) across allusers or entities associated with natural resource extraction/productionefforts. For example, data can be provided to investors in an oil and/orgas production or infrastructure play. As another example, data can alsobe provided to mineral-rights owners and/or land owners and theirpersonnel, providing complete visibility of the production ofhydrocarbons and activities on their land.

As introduced above, implementations of the present disclosure providerobust security. In some examples, security is provided through mutualentity authentication, message authentication, message confidentiality,limited anonymity, firmware authentication and/or non-repudiation. Insome examples, mutual entity authentication is provided such that onlyauthenticated users and/or devices can access a valid network (e.g., thenatural play network(s) 206 and/or the network 210 of FIG. 2), and onlyvalid monitoring devices (e.g., at a well site) are able to communicatewith the valid network. In some examples, message authentication isprovided using cipher-based message authentication code (CMAC) using128-bit encryption to provide immunity to replay attacks. It iscontemplated that other appropriate message authentication schema can beimplemented. In some implementations, message confidentiality can beprovided based on message encryption. In some examples, messageencryption can include triple DES (three key) encryption at thecommunication layer, and AES-128 encryption at the device layer. It iscontemplated that other appropriate encryption techniques can beimplemented. In some implementations, limited anonymity can be providedby the communication link not disclosing the identity of end-pointscommunicating with one another. In some implementations, firmwareauthentication is provided in that only node and/or host firmware can beupgraded by a valid network. In some implementations, non-repudiation isprovided using proof of origin of data.

In accordance with implementations of the present disclosure, and asdiscussed in further detail herein, data is provided to users/entitiesin a secure manner. In some examples, retrieved data can be fire-walledat the cloud level (e.g., within the computing cloud 207 of FIG. 2) andsecured on a per entity basis (e.g., per company basis), and/or per userbasis. In some examples, data that has been captured remotely can bestored on-premise (e.g., in a storage device associated with one or morefield sites of an operator) and/or in the cloud (e.g., in the computingcloud 207 of FIG. 2). In some examples, such data can be securelydelivered to appropriate end-point devices (e.g., fixed computingdevices, mobile computing devices) using secure communications.

FIG. 4 depicts an example services platform 400 in accordance withimplementations of the present disclosure. In the depicted example, theexample services platform 400 includes ULP services. The example serviceplatform 400 includes sensor management services 402, field networkservices 404, hosted network services 406, and operations andinformation services 408. In some examples, the sensor managementservices 402 provide well site-level management of sensors 410 thatmonitor well activity and that generate well data. In someimplementations, the following example functionality is provided: mobilemonitoring and control of remote assets, remote monitoring ofproduction, remote spill/leak detection, remote well shut in, remotemeasurement of various elements including, but not limited to,hydrocarbon production, salt water production, fresh waterproduction/consumption, tank level monitoring, hazardous gas detection,regulated gas detection, pipeline integrity monitoring, remote pipelineshut in and control, block valve control, production optimizationthrough closed loop control, hydrocarbon reservoir optimization throughclosed loop control, pressure monitoring, temperature monitoring, airquality monitoring, asset tracking, personnel access control, monitoringand control of removal of hydrocarbons, and/or detection of equipmentfailure and remote restart capabilities

In some examples, the field network management services 404 provide playnetwork-level services for access points 412 (e.g., access point 316 ofFIG. 3). In some examples, network management services can include:provisioning and management/control of remote sensors, provisioning andmanagement/control of remote monitoring and/or computing devices,provisioning and remote management/control of transmitting devices,providing alarms and alerts, remotely controlling various assets,collecting data from sensors, making computational decisions to presentto field operators, collecting data from sensors and makingcomputational decisions to remotely control field assets, and/or storageand delivery of data captured remotely from the field. In general,network management services of the present disclosure provide a completeend-to-end system to acquire, compile, store, and present data andinformation.

In some examples, the hosted network services 408 include data services414, network management services 416, and security management services418. In some examples, data services can include capturing and storingdata acquired from remote field assets. In some examples, networkmanagement services can include reading and/or performing computationson the captured data, and/or initiating appropriate actions. Exampleactions can include: alerting, informing, controlling, and the like. Insome examples, security management services include spill and/orhazardous condition detection, alerting, and control. In some examples,security management services can include the monitoring and assurancethat data is not shared with or acquired by unauthorized entities (e.g.,malicious users).

In some examples, the operations and information services 410 include adigital dashboard services 420, data historian services 422, a mobileservices platform 423, distributed control system services 424, ananalytics and decision support platform 425, and supervisory control anddata acquisition (SCADA) services 426. In some examples, the digitaldashboard services 420 provide data visualizations for individual wellsites, a field of well sites, a natural resource play, and/or multiplenatural resource plays. In some examples, the data visualizations canprovide visualizations associated with one or more sensors and canenable drill-down to specific sensors. In some examples, the digitaldashboard services 420 enable users to set and/or updateuser-configurable read and update intervals (e.g., intervals at whichdata is retrieved from respective sensors and/or types of sensors). Insome examples, the digital dashboard services 420 enable users to viewalarms (e.g., on a displayed dashboard, email and/or SMS/MMS messages).Example alarms can include threshold alarms (e.g., a monitored parameterhas exceeded an established threshold), state change alarms, and lowbattery alarms. In some examples, the digital dashboard services 420enable users to integrate data feed through web service interfaces. Insome examples, data historian services 422 can include the ability of acomputer or server to store, file, compress, compile data acquired fromfield assets, and to provide that information to an inquiring computerdevice and/or software program. In some examples, this service can beoffered over a variable amount of time depending on service levelagreements (SLAs). In some examples, digital control services 424 caninclude remote control of field assets through data acquired andcomputational analysis performed. In some examples, these services caninclude remote start/stop, remote valve control, remote gate control oraccess, and/or remote alert or alarming. In some examples, supervisorycontrol and data acquisition systems (SCADA) 426 services can includeremote monitoring and control of field assets such as flow rate,temperature, pressure, level, and/or on/off. In some examples, theseservices can be performed by a computing device with a computer programthat determines which of such monitoring and control should occur, in aremote monitoring network operating center by personnel monitoringcertain data and assets, and/or by field personnel in a mobilemonitoring and control environment, such as a well site location, forexample.

As discussed above, the service provider can provide well data and/orauxiliary data to computing devices of well site operators. In someexamples, the auxiliary data can include visualization data and/oranalytical data. For example, and as part of a subscription process,computer-executable programs provided by the service provider can bedownloaded to and installed on computing devices of the well siteoperator. As one example, an employee of the well site operator (e.g., afield supervisor, a field technician) can download and install a mobileapplication to a mobile computing device (e.g., a smart phone, atablet). In some examples, the service provider can route well dataand/or auxiliary data to the mobile computing device. In some examples,well data, alerts, alarms, and/or data visualizations are displayed onthe mobile computing device using the mobile application. In someexamples, well data, alerts, alarms, and/or data visualizations can beprovided using web portals (e.g., in a web browser executed on a desktopcomputing device).

As noted above, the service provider can provide data visualizationand/or data analysis services. In some example, the service provider canprocess well data (e.g., using computing cloud 207 of FIGS. 2 and 3), togenerate data visualizations. In some examples, data visualizations caninclude graphs. An example graph can include trend graphs that visuallydepict changes in parameter values over time. In some examples, datavisualizations can include tables. In some examples, data visualizationscan include waveforms. In some examples, data visualization can includereporting functions and reports generated. The data visualization systemcan include multiple layers and architectures that enable a user to lookat various data and detail that is optimized for display/viewing. Insome examples, displayed data can be manipulated by the user. Forexample, users are able to scroll data visualizations (e.g., graphs,tables, waveforms) to view additional data, and/or zoom in/out of datavisualizations to provide more detailed or more abstract data views. Insome examples, data visualizations can include historical data and/ortrends. In some examples, data visualizations can include real-time dataas data is received from field sites, and/or real-time trends as trenddata is computed based as data is received from field sites.

In some examples, users can input appropriate data using fixed (e.g.,desktop) and/or mobile devices (e.g., smart phone, tablet) to improvefunctionality discussed herein. For example, a field technician using acomputing device executing applications in accordance with the presentdisclosure can be provided the ability to take pictures of field assets,store the images, note latitude, longitude and/or altitude locations,input necessary notes of assets including inventory, model numbers,specifications, input schematics and functional descriptions and/or flowdiagrams relating to various field assets and equipment.

In some examples, the service provider can provide planning and/orworkflow services. For example, a field technician can be responsiblefor periodic (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly) visits to well sites, and toperform one or more tasks during a visit. In some examples, the serviceprovider can process well data to define a visitation schedule. In someexamples, a visitation schedule can define an order in which well sitesare to be visited by the field technician. In some examples, the ordercan be defined based on a rules engine that processes the well dataand/or auxiliary data. For example, a first well site can include one ormore parameters that exceed respective threshold, and a second well sitecan include one or more parameters within an acceptable range.Consequently, the visitation schedule can provide that the first wellsite is to be visited first and the second well site to be visitedsecond (e.g., which could be contrary to the field technician's personalplan). In some examples, the planning services can include confirmationof well site visits. For example, when a field technician (e.g., themobile device used by the field technician) is determined to be presentat the well site, a signal can be provided to the service provider thatthe visit has indeed occurred.

In some implementations, workflow services can be provided. In someexamples, workflow services can include providing a workflow that can beexecuted by a field technician during a visit to a well site. In someexample, a workflow can include one or more tasks to be performed by thefield technician. In some examples, a workflow can be defined based on arules engine that processes the well data and/or auxiliary data. Forexample, a well site can include a plurality of parameters that exceedrespective thresholds. In some examples, the workflow can include tasksand/or an order of tasks based on the plurality of parameters (e.g.,tasks ordered based severity of exceeding the thresholds, type ofparameter).

FIG. 5 depicts an example process 500 that can be executed in accordancewith implementations of the present disclosure. In some examples, theexample process 500 can be provided using one or morecomputer-executable programs that are executed using one or morecomputing devices.

Field data is generated (502). For example, one or more sensors at afield site can be responsive to activity associated with a field sitecomponent and can generate field data based on such activity. The fielddata is transmitted over a regional network (504). In some examples, thefield data is transmitted over the regional network to a back-endsystem. In some examples, the regional network includes one or moresub-networks that enable data transmission in various manners. Examplesub-networks include ULP sub-networks and wireless sub-networks.

The field data is processed to provide visualization data (506). In someexamples, the back-end system processes the field data to provide thevisualization data. The visualization data is transmitted to one or morecomputing devices (508). Example computing devices can include mobilecomputing devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets). In some examples, thecomputing devices each execute a native client application fordisplaying data visualizations based on the visualization data, andenable user manipulation of the data visualizations. For example, usersare able to scroll data visualizations (e.g., graphs, tables, waveforms)to view additional data, and/or zoom in/out of data visualizations toprovide more detailed or more abstract data views. In some examples,data visualizations can include historical data and/or trends. In someexamples, data visualizations can include real-time data as data isreceived from field sites, and/or real-time trends as trend data iscomputed based as data is received from field sites.

It is determined whether a control input is received (510). In someexamples, a user of a computing device can provide user input that isprocessed by the native client application, the user input indicating acontrol command for remote control of a field component of a field site.In some examples, the control input is received by the back-end system.In some examples, the back-end system determines, which field site andwhich field component the control input is directed to. If it isdetermined that a control input is received, the control input istransmitted to the appropriate field site (512). In some examples, theback-end system transmits the control input to the appropriate fieldsite over the regional network. If it is determined that a control inputhas not been received, the system waits for further action. Exampleactions can include the generation of additional field data that is tobe provided to computing devices, user requests for field data and/ordata visualizations, and/or control inputs.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram of example computingsystems 600 is provided. The example system 600 can be used for theoperations described in association with the implementations describedherein. For example, the system 600 may be included in any or all of theserver components discussed herein. The system 600 includes a processor610, a memory 620, a storage device 630, and an input/output device 640.Each of the components 610, 620, 630, 640 are interconnected using asystem bus 650. The processor 610 is capable of processing instructionsfor execution within the system 600. In one implementation, theprocessor 610 is a single-threaded processor. In another implementation,the processor 610 is a multi-threaded processor. The processor 610 iscapable of processing instructions stored in the memory 620 or on thestorage device 630 to display graphical information for a user interfaceon the input/output device 640.

The memory 620 stores information within the system 600. In oneimplementation, the memory 620 is a computer-readable medium. In oneimplementation, the memory 620 is a volatile memory unit. In anotherimplementation, the memory 620 is a non-volatile memory unit. Thestorage device 630 is capable of providing mass storage for the system600. In one implementation, the storage device 630 is acomputer-readable medium. In various different implementations, thestorage device 630 may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, anoptical disk device, or a tape device. The input/output device 640provides input/output operations for the system 600. In oneimplementation, the input/output device 640 includes a keyboard and/orpointing device. In another implementation, the input/output device 640includes a display unit for displaying graphical user interfaces.

The features described can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or incombinations of them. The apparatus can be implemented in a computerprogram product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in amachine-readable storage device, for execution by a programmableprocessor; and method steps can be performed by a programmable processorexecuting a program of instructions to perform functions of thedescribed implementations by operating on input data and generatingoutput. The described features can be implemented advantageously in oneor more computer programs that are executable on a programmable systemincluding at least one programmable processor coupled to receive dataand instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a datastorage system, at least one input device, and at least one outputdevice. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used,directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity orbring about a certain result. A computer program can be written in anyform of programming language, including compiled or interpretedlanguages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unitsuitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructionsinclude, by way of example, both general and special purposemicroprocessors, and the sole processor or one of multiple processors ofany kind of computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions anddata from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Theessential elements of a computer are a processor for executinginstructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data.Generally, a computer also includes, or is operatively coupled tocommunicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storagedevices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructionsand data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removabledisks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Theprocessor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in,ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, the features can be implementedon a computer having a display device such as a CRT (cathode ray tube)or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for displaying information tothe user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or atrackball by which the user can provide input to the computer.

The features can be implemented in a computer system that includes aback-end component, such as a data server, or that includes a middlewarecomponent, such as an application server or an Internet server, or thatincludes a front-end component, such as a client computer having agraphical user interface or an Internet browser, or any combination ofthem. The components of the system can be connected by any form ormedium of digital data communication such as a communication network.Examples of communication networks include, e.g., a LAN, a WAN, and thecomputers and networks forming the Internet.

The computer system can include clients and servers. A client and serverare generally remote from each other and typically interact through anetwork, such as the described one. The relationship of client andserver arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may beeliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be addedto, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

A number of implementations of the present disclosure have beendescribed. Nevertheless, it will be understood that variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are withinthe scope of the following claims.

1. A computer-implemented method for remote data aggregation, data management, and data visualization of field data from remote field site locations, the method being executed using one or more processors and comprising: generating, by one or more sensors, the field data, each sensor of the one or more sensors being responsive to field site activity; transmitting, through a regional network, the field data to a back-end system; processing, by the back-end system, the field data to provide visualization data; transmitting the visualization data to one or more mobile computing devices; and providing a computer-executable application for execution on a mobile computing device, the computer-executable application processing visualization data to provide data visualizations.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a play network that provides data acquisition functionality for one or more natural resource plays.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the play network comprises one or more ultra-low power (ULP) sub-networks, each ULP sub-network comprising an access point.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein each ULP sub-network comprises one or more communication devices, each communication device enabling data communication between at least one sensor system and the access point.
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein each ULP sub-network communicates with an upper-level network based on one or more of cellular communication and satellite communication.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the play network comprises one or more wireless sub-networks, each wireless sub-network comprising a gateway. 9.-14. (canceled)
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more sensors from a group comprising a temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, a pressure sensor, a hazardous gas sensor, a fluid-level sensor, a regulated gas sensor, a component integrity sensor, an air quality sensor, an asset tracking sensor (e.g., RFID), and a component failure sensor.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a control signal from a mobile computing device, the control signal being specific to a field site of a natural resource play; and transmitting the control signal to the field site over the regional network, wherein at least one component of the field site is responsive to the control signal.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote well site locations comprise a first field site operated by a first field operator and a second field site operated by a second field operator, the second field operator being different from the first field operator.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein field data from each of the first field site and the second field site is transmitted over the regional network to the back-end system.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the back-end system transmits respective visualization data to one or more mobile computing devices of the first field operator and one or more mobile computing devices of the second field operator. 21.-23. (canceled)
 24. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media coupled to one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: receiving, from one or more sensors, field data, each sensor of the one or more sensors being responsive to field site activity; transmitting, through a regional network, the field data to a back-end system; processing, by the back-end system, the field data to provide visualization data; transmitting the visualization data to one or more mobile computing devices; and processing the visualization data to provide data visualizations.
 25. The computer-readable storage media of claim 24, wherein the network comprises a play network that provides data acquisition functionality for one or more natural resource plays.
 26. The computer-readable storage media of claim 25, wherein the play network comprises one or more ultra-low power (ULP) sub-networks, each ULP sub-network comprising an access point.
 27. The computer-readable storage media of claim 26, wherein each ULP sub-network comprises one or more communication devices, each communication device enabling data communication between at least one sensor system and the access point.
 28. A system, comprising: one or more processors; and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: receiving, from one or more sensors, field data, each sensor of the one or more sensors being responsive to field site activity; transmitting, through a regional network, the field data to a back-end system; processing, by the back-end system, the field data to provide visualization data; transmitting the visualization data to one or more mobile computing devices; and processing the visualization data to provide data visualizations.
 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the network comprises a play network that provides data acquisition functionality for one or more natural resource plays.
 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the play network comprises one or more ultra-low power (ULP) sub-networks, each ULP sub-network comprising an access point.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein each ULP sub-network comprises one or more communication devices, each communication device enabling data communication between at least one sensor system and the access point.
 32. The system of claim 30, wherein each ULP sub-network communicates with an upper-level network based on one or more of cellular communication and satellite communication. 